Gastrointestinale Onkologie
AG Prof. Dr. Enrico De Toni
The laboratory for molecular gastroenterology studies the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and translational approaches of gastrointestinal cancers.
Current projects
Treatment of chronic liver disease and of liver cancer
Liangtao Ye
Dr. Ye’s main research interests are the treatment of chronic liver disease and of liver cancer. He has in particular focussed on the molecular mechanism of intracellular signalling leading to fibrogenesis in hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and to cell proliferation and apoptotic resistance in HCC. In cooperation with the laboratory of Dr. Florian Reiter and Prof. Dr. Andreas Geier at Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, he is currently investigating the role of YAP and its inhibition in the treatment of chronic biliary disease, liver fibrosis, and pathogenesis of HCC. The systemic research models and techniques established by our laboratory in the field of liver cancer and fibrosis include the in vitro investigation of cell lines, the culture of primary human cells (HCC and HSC), in vivo mice models of fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis (CCl4 and Abcb4-/-), preclinical 3D ex vivo models for drug screening, and a well characterized tissue microarray of HCC and matched non-tumor liver tissues.
Applicability of primary tumoroid cell line in clinical settings
Stefan Munker
Dr. Munker focuses on translational and clinical research in gastrointestinal oncology. His preclinical research investigates the molecular drivers underlying gastrointestinal carcinogenesis, the routine establishment of primary tumoroid cell lines for drug repurposing, lead validation and individualized approaches. His clinical research focuses on the applicability of primary tumoroid cell line culture in clinical settings.
Molecular mechanisms of gastrointestinal cancer development and progression
Najib Ben Khaled
Dr. Ben Khaled focuses on translational and clinical research in gastrointestinal oncology. As a clinical investigator, he is the coordinator of the randomized phase II DEMAND clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of the atezolizumab + bevacizumab prior to or in combination with TACE in intermediate stage HCC. His preclinical research investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal cancer development and progression, both in vitro (cell culture, organoid systems) and in vivo, to identify new therapeutic options.
- DFG
- Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation
- Sander Foundation

Prof. Dr. Enrico De Toni
Oberarzt, Arbeitsgruppenleiter

Dr. med Stefan Munker
Assistenzarzt

Dr. med. Najib Ben Khaled
Assistenzarzt
Dr. med. Liangtao Ye
Post-doc
Nicole Richter
Technische Assistentin
Julia Schneider
Doktorandin
Katharina Hammer
Doktorandin
Can Aydogdu
Doktorand
Paula Sagmeister
Doktorandin
Elena Borisch
Doktorandin
Verena Merk
Doktorandin